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With Ellis on recall, Bagnall given C as Amerks captain

While roster spots for third- and fourth-line players are never guaranteed, we've been given a pretty good indication that Matt Ellis may be staying with the Buffalo Sabres. Rochester Americans coach Chadd

Ellis wore the "C" with the Amerks right through the Frozen Frontier outdoor game on Dec. 13, when he was recalled moments after scoring the winning shootout goal.

Because he has played in more than nine NHL games since his promotion, Ellis would need to clear waivers to return. And while he very likely would go unclaimed (as he has twice since February), injuries have created a spot for him in the Buffalo lineup.

The 12th-year veteran forward has scored 1 goal, 2 assists and 3 points in 10 games for the Sabres.

Bagnall is the one remaining veteran in the Amerks lineup, and was the captain for the Houston Aeros last season.

He had been wearing an "A" as alternate captain. That A was sewn on the sweater of third-year center Phil Varone.

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Luke Adam is back with the Amerks after missing the two weekend games because of a personal/family emergency and will play in Wednesday's home game against the Binghamton Senators.

Also, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is to rejoin the Amerks when he returns from Finland.

He may be traveling to Western New York today.

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From the Department of My How Times Have Changed (for the better):

I was looking through our microfilm library for an Amerks item and came across the game story from Sunday, Dec. 11, 1988, when the Springfield Indians had visited Rochester.

Center Ken Priestlay returned to the lineup that night after missing Saturday's night's game, a 6-2 loss at Hershey. He had suffered a concussion on Friday, Dec. 9, and the injujry required a visit to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Yet here he was, not even 48 hours later, back on the ice.

"That we suffered a tough loss (at Hershey) sort of enhanced my decision to play," Priestlay said afterward. "I'm dizzy right now. I'm flying as high as any bird in the world right now."

The lack of any real concussion protocol 25 years ago makes it understandable why former athletes in contact sports are living today with issues associated with brain injuries.

That 1988-89 season was, by the way, the season Priestlay scored 56-37-93 in only 64 games. Only two other Amerks ever scored more goals: Paul Gardner, 61, in 1985-86, and Jody Gage, 60, in 1987-88.

Staff writer:
Kevin Oklobzija covers Rochester’s two oldest professional sports teams, hockey’s Rochester American and baseball’s Rochester Red Wings. He has been at the rink for Amerks hockey since the 1985-86 season and, after providing backup Wings coverage for many years, is now the full-time beat writer. A native of Minnesota and a graduate of St. Cloud State University, Kevin arrived in Western New York in June of 1985 and never left. Apparently he likes it here. He still believes National Lampoon’s Vacation may be the best movie ever made.&nbsp;